UCSB Takes 12- Inning Marathon, 10-9

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -
Senior David Figoni helped the UC Santa Barbara baseball team (22-26, 4-9) break through for a run in the 12th inning to defeat host UC Riverside (21-24, 6-7), 10-9, Friday night in a Big West Conference showdown at the Riverside Sports Complex. The win was the Gauchos first against the Highlanders since they moved up into the Division I level. Previously, Santa Barbara was winless in nine match-ups.

Freshman left fielder David Harrit led off the top of the 12th inning with a triple (1) and later completed his trip around the diamond as senior designated hitter Figoni doubled down the left field line.

The Gauchos entered the bottom of the ninth with a 9-8 lead and called upon senior closer Alex McRobbie, who was a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season. McRobbie blew the save but picked-up up the win to improve to 2-0 as tossed 4.0 innings, allowing three hits and one run (earned) while striking out six.

The Highlanders, who stranded a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the 12th, used a trio of clutch hits to jump to a 4-1 lead in the first inning. Andrew Martinez singled in Brett Bigler and Aaron Grant with two down, and Brian Steinmeyer and Anthony Claggett followed with hits to score two more. Nick Salotti singled in another run in the second.

Santa Barbara came back to tie the game as they scored four runs in the third top of the third inning with the help of an error by UCR third baseman Andre Garcia. Senior shortstop Chris Malec, junior first baseman Bill Rowe and senior catcher Matt Kalafatis all tallied a RBI. One inning later the Gauchos would take a two-run lead on another miscue by the Highlanders.

Junior left fielder C.J. Cook chased UC Riverside starting hurler Haley Winter from the game as he blasted a two-run home run (2) to right field in the top of the seventh inning.

The Highlanders pulled within one run as they amassed three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Junior starter Steve Morlock was shaky early on as he allowed five runs to score in the first two innings. After the second inning, Morlock settled down and pitched into the seventh inning before leaving with a 9-5 lead. Morlock allowed 10 hits and seven runs (all earned) in 6.0 innings of work.

UCR relief pitcher Anthony Claggett (1-1) would take the loss as he gave-up the final run of the ball game. Claggett, who began the game at second base, was called upon to pitch in the top of the eighth inning. He tossed 4.0 innings, giving up three hits and one run (earned) while striking out seven.

Every UCSB starter had at least one of their total 15 hits, led by freshman second baseman Alden Carrithers' three.

The extra-inning game was UCSB's first since the second game of the season way back on February 5. UCSB defeated Pepperdine 12-9 in 11 innings.

The teams go back at it at 6:00 pm Saturday with UCR's Taylor Bills (5-7) taking on UCSB's Michael Martin (5-5)